Four Star Homes Blog

(Originally published on MHVillage.com)
An eco-friendly, energy-efficient home is an appealing option for many homeowners today. ENERGY STAR® Certified manufactured homes are one great option for a home that’s easier on the planet and saves money on utilities. But for those who want to take things a step further, solar panels can be a great investment for powering your manufactured home sustainably.
In this article, we’ll answer several frequently asked questions about solar panels for mobile homes. You’ll find key information here about the cost of solar panels, solar panel installation, and much more.
Can you install rooftop solar panels on a manufactured home?
Not usually. PV panels are heavy and have specific structural requirements. In addition, rooftop solar panels for mobile homes may not be legal in every jurisdiction, and every mobile home park.
What kinds of solar panels are appropriate for a manufactured ...
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(Written with permission by Russell S. Watson of Florida Manufactured Home Living - See the video here!)
Hundreds of thousands of people live in manufactured home resort parks in Florida, yet few know the history that resulted in their creation.
Early History
The first large-scale production mobile home was the Conestoga wagon. It was constructed from wood, and the wheels were iron rim for greater durability. The wagon was about 18 feet long, 11 feet high, and four feet in width. It was the first mobile home used on a large scale. Everything you needed for the trip had to fit in that wagon. One could also argue these were the first RVs or mobile homes.
Prior to the widespread ownership of the automobile, most visitors coming to Florida did so by rail or boat. Towns and cities grew up along the coast, and later, along ...
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(Originally published on MHVillage.com)
Most manufactured homeowners protect their property through common-sense methods like security systems, fire alarms, and preventive tree maintenance. However, there’s another tool for home protection that not every homeowner has: home warranties.
A home warranty helps homeowners avoid being blindsided by repair and maintenance costs. It’s an extremely useful tool for creating financial stability for almost any homeowner. But can you get a home warranty for a mobile home?
Fortunately, the answer is yes—you can get a home warranty on many types of manufactured homes. In this article, we’ll discuss the key facts about home warranties for manufactured homes, including what they cover, what they don’t cover, and how much homeowners can expect to pay.
What Is a Manufactured Home Warranty?
A manufactured home warranty is similar in many ways to a warranty on an automobile. If the homeowner needs certain ...
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When looking for a mobile home or manufactured home for sale, it can be somewhat confusing. The terms are often used interchangeably, but there are important differences.
What are mobile homes and manufactured homes?
Both mobile homes and manufactured homes were both built off-site in a warehouse. These prefabricated homes were then transported to the location where they’re set and permanently affixed to the ground. They are often placed in mobile home communities next to other mobile homes.
These mobile and manufactured home communities are a far cry from the outdated term "trailer parks", as they are more commonly well-kept with beautiful grounds and offer loads of resort-style amenities.
Manufactured and mobile homes are often much more affordable than traditional houses, referred to as site-built homes. Site-built homes are built on-site, hence the name, and construction can be expensive and experience delays due to weather.
...
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Bob Silverman, LawnStarter
Never forget the three Ls when buying a new mobile home: location, landscaping, and low maintenance.
Living in Florida, we have the location handled. Landscaping your mobile home with low-maintenance plants and hardscaping means you’ll spend less time working on your yard and more time enjoying it.
Mobile and manufactured home communities provide simple living for singles, couples, families, and those looking to retire in Florida. The amenities are endless: swimming pools, clubhouses, golf courses, and just about everything else nearby to keep you busy.
And since many mobile home communities include grass-cutting services in your monthly lot rent, you can spend more time giving your home some character with low-maintenance landscaping.
We’ve rounded up several tips for landscaping and hardscaping to give your manufactured home some personal and colorful touches.
Flower Beds
Plant a few flowers and shrubs around ...
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There's a reason why Four Star Homes is Central Florida's largest and most experienced manufactured home broker.
Not only have we been in the business since 1982, but we also have more than 150 agents based out of offices across Central Florida. Many of these agents live in the mobile home communities they serve, making them experts on the lifestyles afforded by living in a manufactured home.
Last year alone, we successfully sold more than 1,650 homes. In fact, Four Star Homes is responsible for 1 out of 10 manufactured home resales in Florida!
Homes listed with Four Star average less than 100 days on the market. How do we do this?
Professional Marketing
Professionally-marketed homes sell quicker than when you try to sell on your own, otherwise known as "For Sale by Owner" or FSBO.
When you sell your mobile home more quickly, ...
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Named one of the 10 Best Places To Retire by Retirement Living Magazine, The Falls at Ormond has been a much sought-after community for many years. Now under new ownership, there are several enhancements planned for 2021 to make The Falls at Ormond an even better place to live.
New owner MHM Communities is dedicated to enhancing their manufactured home communities by improving neighborhood infrastructure, building modern amenities, and expanding social activities.
"Our mission is to provide the facilities, environment, and lifestyle to enhance our residents' quality of life."
The 55+ manufactured home community is expecting to see the following improvements in 2021. (Note: Some improvements pending city approvals.)

• Renovated clubhouse
• Outdoor kitchen
• New entrance
• Improvements to community landscaping
• Improvements to common area lighting
• Added mail station
• Pickleball courts
• 2 dog parks
• 3 outdoor gazebos and walking trails
• Upgraded property roads
• Upgraded stormwater drainage system

• Outdoor gazebos
• Updated entrance
• Pickleball courts
• Outdoor kitchen

Artist renderings courtesy MHM Communities These improvements only ...
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Florida has always attracted retirees and snowbirds from all across the U.S., but in 2020 we saw a specific increase in interest from those living in the Northeast and Midwest and wanting to move down to the Sunshine State.
Many want to escape some of the more populous areas and retire early in Florida manufactured homes. Several seek the lifestyle and amenities afforded by the various mobile home communities, of which they may not have up north. Others are looking for more affordable housing options that offer better space and included services such as lawn care. And, as always, we find that most desire more sunshine and warmer temperatures, of which Central Florida has in abundance.
The global COVID-19 pandemic caused a backlog in demand as states shut down and fewer new homes were being built and sold. In 2020, compared to previous years, we heard from more ...
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The Lakes at Leesburg mobile home community recently held their annual golf cart Christmas parade, and it was a huge success! Residents showed their creativity and shared the spirit of the season by decorating their golf carts with everything from bows, garlands, lights, wrapping paper, toys and presents, to wreaths, stockings, snowflakes, Christmas trees, and more. Several residents also had VIP guests on their floats: their pups!
(Scroll to the bottom for the photo gallery!)
For added incentive, parade participants can enter the annual contest for the "Best Decorated Golf Cart". This year's first place winner was "The Candy Man". The cart featured a beautiful display case in the front filled with treats, a lighted sign and huge chocolate candies on the roof, and a criss-cross of candy canes in the back. The top two winners received gift cards.
"It's amazing to see what some of these ...
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(Originally published on MHVillage.com)
Homeowners are more concerned than ever about energy efficiency in their homes. Demand for energy-efficient homes is high as Americans strive to reduce their energy bills and their carbon footprints. If you’re considering buying a manufactured home, you might be wondering how to find an energy-efficient model.
Fortunately, the news is good: manufactured homes have become steadily more energy efficient as innovation has improved building techniques and materials. Here, we’ll discuss the latest in energy-efficiency developments for manufactured homes. We’ll also talk about the most important things that owners of manufactured homes can do to improve their homes’ energy efficiency.
To begin, let’s look at a brief history of energy efficiency in manufactured homes.
Humble Beginnings
Manufactured homes have not always been known for energy efficiency. When mobile homes first became popular in the ’70s, they were often constructed using inexpensive ...
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